A local court on Tuesday awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment to a Block Development Officer (BDO) and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on him for his involvement in a murder case.

A local court on Tuesday awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment to a Block Development Officer (BDO) and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on him for his involvement in a murder case.

Additional district and sessions judge, heading a Fast Track court, Muralidharan today held Chandra Bhusan Rai guilty of killing Ram Ratan Rai of Jagannathpur village in Darbhanga district on June 24, 1985 following a land dispute.

Rai is now posted as BDO Jhanjarpur in adjoining Madhubani district.

Ram Karan Rai, brother of slain Ram Ratan Rai, had filed a fir against five people, including the BDO, with Biraul police station.

While two of the accused died during the hearing of the case, the fast track court judge absolved Hemkant Rai and Arvind Rai of the charges due to lack of evidence.

The fine imposed on Chandra Bhushan Rai would go to the family members of the deceased family, the judge said.